The “heart and soul” of a popular taco truck died in a single-vehicle rollover crash west of Lompoc on Wednesday afternoon.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Bureau confirmed Joseph Isaac Medina, 32, of Lompoc was the driver killed in the crash on West Ocean Avenue.
Just before 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, personnel from the Lompoc and Santa Barbara County fire departments were dispatched to the crash on the 3200 block of West Ocean Avenue, county Fire Capt. Scott Safechuck said.
Emergency crews arrived at the scene west of Douglass Avenue to discover a 2018 Chevrolet pickup off the road and in a dry concrete irrigation canal along the roadway, California Highway Patrol Officer Arshdeep Dhanda said.
The westbound truck went off road’s north edge and overturned, Dhanda said.
A male driver was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency crews attempting lifesaving measures.
Lt. Jason Bronson, commander of the California Highway Patrol’s Buellton Area Office, noted family’s and broader community’s tragic loss.
“Our officers were at the crash scene with many of those family members, and I hope our investigation can provide some closure,” Bronson said.
Medina, also called Big Joe, was known as “the heart and soul” behind the beloved taco truck, The Birria Boyz, according to to the GoFundMe page “Honoring Joe & Support of His Family.”
“Joe was the founder and mastermind behind The Birria Boyz, a business built from his passion for food, family, and community,” Robin Jennings, sister of Medina’s partner Cassie, wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“His tacos were famous, but even more so was the way he treated people making everyone feel like family. Whether you were a customer, friend, or stranger, Joe welcomed you into his circle with open arms,” she added.
The Birria Boyz trailer popped up around the Lompoc, Santa Maria and Santa Ynez valleys serving tacos at events or locations but sometimes ventured into Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County.
‘He was a man full of life, laughter, and love known for his big smile, contagious energy, and golden heart. He was sarcastic and funny, but also deeply kind, generous, and hardworking,” according to a GoFundMe page.
Medina was a dedicated and proud father of two girls plus “caring bonus dad” to three children with his partner Carrie Jennings.
“He loved all five kids fiercely and unconditionally.”
Survivors include his parents Cynthia Loza and Jose Medina plus multiple siblings, Gabe, Lexi, Marizah, and Elias.
“Joe also had a deep love for cars, cooking, laughter, and making memories. He touched so many lives and leaves behind a huge community of friends, fans, and loved ones all mourning the loss of such an incredible man.”
Funds will help cover funeral expenses and assist Medina’s family as they navigate “this painful and uncertain chapter ahead” with more than $6,000 raised of early Thursday afternoon.
Anyone with additional information about this incident can call the Buellton Area CHP office at 805.691.6160.